The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. (NYSE:GBX) Sees Significant Decrease in Short Interest

The Greenbrier Companies, Inc. (NYSE:GBX - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a large decline in short interest in January. As of January 15th, there was short interest totalling 2,130,000 shares, a decline of 6.2% from the December 31st total of 2,270,000 shares. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 316,700 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 6.7 days. Currently, 7.1% of the company's stock are sold short.

Greenbrier Companies Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE GBX traded up $1.08 during midday trading on Wednesday, hitting $65.62. 215,855 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 427,744. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.89, a current ratio of 1.53 and a quick ratio of 0.84. Greenbrier Companies has a twelve month low of $41.40 and a twelve month high of $71.06. The stock's 50 day moving average price is $65.27 and its 200-day moving average price is $57.03. The firm has a market cap of $2.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.45, a PEG ratio of 0.96 and a beta of 1.52.

Greenbrier Companies (NYSE:GBX - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 8th. The transportation company reported $1.72 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.16 by $0.56. The company had revenue of $875.90 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $849.51 million. Greenbrier Companies had a net margin of 5.10% and a return on equity of 12.10%. Greenbrier Companies's revenue was up 8.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.96 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Greenbrier Companies will post 5.9 EPS for the current year.

Greenbrier Companies Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 19th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 29th will be given a dividend of $0.30 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, January 29th. This represents a $1.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.83%. Greenbrier Companies's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 20.94%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have commented on GBX shares. Bank of America increased their target price on Greenbrier Companies from $60.00 to $62.00 and gave the stock an "underperform" rating in a report on Thursday, January 9th. Susquehanna raised their price target on Greenbrier Companies from $63.00 to $65.00 and gave the stock a "positive" rating in a report on Monday, October 21st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating and three have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $63.00.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Greenbrier Companies news, COO William J. Krueger sold 2,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Monday, February 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $63.21, for a total transaction of $126,420.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now directly owns 42,714 shares of the company's stock, valued at $2,699,951.94. This trade represents a 4.47 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 1.78% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Greenbrier Companies

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Versor Investments LP acquired a new position in shares of Greenbrier Companies in the fourth quarter worth about $566,000. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new position in Greenbrier Companies in the 4th quarter worth approximately $600,000. Principal Financial Group Inc. boosted its stake in Greenbrier Companies by 3.6% in the 4th quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. now owns 152,029 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $9,272,000 after purchasing an additional 5,289 shares during the period. Values First Advisors Inc. grew its position in Greenbrier Companies by 3.8% during the 4th quarter. Values First Advisors Inc. now owns 4,134 shares of the transportation company's stock worth $252,000 after purchasing an additional 151 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Greenbrier Companies in the fourth quarter valued at $2,527,000. 95.59% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Greenbrier Companies Company Profile

The Greenbrier Companies, Inc designs, manufactures, and markets railroad freight car equipment in North America, Europe, and South America. It operates through three segments: Manufacturing; Maintenance Services; and Leasing & Management Services. The Manufacturing segment offers covered hopper cars, gondolas, open top hoppers, boxcars, center partition cars, tank cars, sustainable conversions, double-stack railcars, auto-max ii, multi-max, and multi-max plus products, intermodal cars, automobile transport, coil steel and metals, flat cars, sliding wall cars, pressurized tank cars, and non-pressurized tank cars.